Wrightsville Beach – December 2025
Jack, of Tex’s Tackle, reports that surf anglers have been catching plenty of sea mullet, with sizes steadily improving. Pompano are still being caught, especially on live sand fleas or fresh cut shrimp. The occasional red drum is mixed in, with the reds hitting shrimp or cut mullet.
Inshore anglers have been finding good numbers of speckled trout on artificial shrimp, topwater plugs, and a variety of MirrOlures. A wide range of color patterns have been working, though pink and red sparkles have been standout favorites.
Off the beach, king mackerel have mostly pushed out into the 20-30 mile range.
Black sea bass should start showing up more as they move shallower for the winter.
Offshore trolling efforts have been rewarded with wahoo and blackfin tuna.
Looking ahead into winter, the sea mullet bite should carry through December, with speckled trout also mixed in in the surf. Inshore, trout will remain a steady target for those willing to fish patiently and slowly in the backs of creeks. Black drum will stick around, both inside and occasionally in the surf, for those fishing with shrimp.
Blair, of Intracoastal Angler, reports that surf anglers have had plenty of success with Virginia mullet and pompano. Bottom‑rigged baits such as fresh shrimp, sand fleas, or Fishbites strips have all been productive. Scattered red drum are also being picked up, especially when closer to the inlets.
Pier anglers are seeing bluefish along with the occasional flounder.
Inshore, speckled trout fishing has been strong, with most anglers focusing either in the mainland creeks or around the inlets.
Red drum have started schooling more and are pushing shallow in the creeks and marshes in search of warmer water.
Nearshore anglers are catching mostly bluefish.
In the 10-20 mile range, a lot of bait is around, and bluefin tuna have already been spotted.
King mackerel have mostly moved out.
Bottom fishing has been great in the 10-15 mile range. Keeper black sea bass and catch‑and‑release gag grouper are being found in the shallower end of that range, while scamp and red grouper are still further out.
Offshore trolling remains productive, with anglers seeing wahoo, blackfin tuna, a couple of sailfish, and even some late‑season mahi.
Luke, of Coastline Fishing Charters, reports that speckled trout are showing both around the inlets and farther back in the creeks. The smaller “spikes” have been the most active. Targeting holes with moving water around oysters or shoreline grass points and then slowly retrieving soft plastics has been the most productive approach.
Red drum are being caught on Carolina‑rigged fresh shrimp around boat docks and in deeper creek holes, and the same technique has also been producing black drum. The Masonboro jetties are another solid option this time of year, as they’re holding drum, speckled trout, and even some tautogs.
Off the beach, the black sea bass action should start to pick up. This is a great time to find keeper‑sized fish within just a few miles of the shoreline.
Pierre, of Rising Sun Fishing, reports that water temperatures hovering at or just below 60 degrees have had the speckled trout fired up. The best action has been at creek mouths up and down the ICW, with D.O.A. soft plastic shrimp and MirrOlures producing well. Expect these trout to push deeper into the creeks, though anglers around the inlet can still find good action as the water continues to cool.
Black drum of all sizes are being caught on blue crabs or shrimp, with docks and oyster bars in 6-8 feet of water being the most productive spots.
Live shrimp under a cork has been drawing strikes from scattered sheepshead.
Plenty of under-slot red drum are holding around docks along the ICW.
Off the beach, keeper black sea bass are showing up in the 5-7 mile range.
Victor, of Carolina Charters, reports that red drum are starting to school up in big numbers. Anglers have been finding success throwing D.O.A. shrimp or other soft plastic swimbaits.
Speckled trout fishing has been a strong option, with shrimp or paddle‑tail soft plastics fished under popping corks producing strikes.
The sheepshead bite has slowed, though cut shrimp fished around deeper docks are still drawing some action. This same tactic has also been effective for black drum, but most of the bigger resident sheepshead and black drum have pushed offshore in search of warmer water.
Rick, of Living Waters Guide Service, reports that anglers trolling in the Gulf Stream are catching blackfin tuna, wahoo, and the occasional sailfish. Finding bait in the area you’re fishing is key to getting strikes. These three species should provide steady action well into January.
Swordfish are another excellent option, with the 1500-1700 foot range producing fish.
The winter is a great time for topwater popping or jigging trips, with blackfin tuna, African pompano, amberjacks, and even the possibility of yellowfin tuna in the mix.
Bottom fishing has been outstanding in the 150-300 foot range, with catches of triggerfish, yelloweye snapper, and vermilion snapper.
This is the time of year when bluefin tuna begin to show, and they’re often found feeding around schools of bluefish or false albacore.
Vincent Briggs, of Wilmington, with a 6.5 lb. grey trout caught offshore of Wrightsville Beach using a soft plastic.
Ben, of Southern Run Fishing Charters, reports that anglers running out to the Gulf Stream are being rewarded with wahoo, blackfin tuna, and the occasional sailfish. It’s smart to bring plenty of ballyhoo, as houndfish have been thick and quick to pick away at baits.
In the 20-30 mile range, king mackerel are holding when water temperatures sit in the 68-70 degree range.
Dropping to the bottom in this zone has been producing plenty of catch‑and‑release gag grouper, with cut cigar minnows or live bait working best.
Closer in, bluefish are stacked around wrecks in the 3-5 mile range. Trolling Clarkspoons under planers or sight‑casting jigs will hook into as many fish as you care to catch.
Mike, of Johnnie Mercers Pier, reports that the Virginia mullet action has been fantastic, with some fish going over 2 pounds. Mixed in on the bottom are a few black drum, with fresh shrimp being their preferred bait.
Additional catches have included pompano, sheepshead, and the occasional red drum, and bluefish are still hanging around and giving anglers a chance to cast plugs.
